Why Hadjar’s accident leaves Red Bull with doubts about racing on Wednesday

Laurent Mekies Hails Red Bull Racing’s Powertrain milestone

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Milton keynes, United Kingdom – Laurent Mekies, Director of Racing at Red Bull Racing, Has Praised The Team’s Seamless Transition Into The 2026 Pre-Season, A Period Marked By The Intensive Growth And Integration Of Their Revolutionary Red Bull Powertrains Power Units, Developed In Collaboration With Ford. This Represents A Pivotal Moment For The Team, Signaling A New era Of Self-Sufficiency In Power Unit Technology.

The Frenchman Highlighted The Remarkable Efforts undertaken In Recent Months To Prepare For This Historic Moment. “We Knew It Would Be A Very

What changes has red Bull Racing implemented to improve the RB22’s performance in wet conditions after Isack hadjar’s crash at the Barcelona test?

Red Bull Reassesses Barcelona Test After Hadjar’s Rain‑Filled Crash with the RB22

The recent Barcelona pre-season test for Red Bull Racing was substantially impacted by a dramatic incident involving rookie driver Isack Hadjar and the RB22, prompting a thorough reassessment by the team.The crash, occurring during a wet session, has raised questions about the car’s handling in challenging conditions and the preparedness of the young driver for Formula 1’s demanding environment.

The Incident: A Detailed Breakdown

Hadjar lost control of the RB22 at Turn 9, a fast, sweeping corner, during a period of heavy rainfall. The car snapped into a spin and made critically important contact with the Tecpro barriers. While Hadjar emerged unharmed, the chassis sustained considerable damage, curtailing his track time for the remainder of the day. Initial reports suggest aquaplaning played a key role, but Red Bull is investigating all potential contributing factors.

The incident occurred late in the afternoon session, with track conditions rapidly deteriorating. Hadjar, on intermediate tires, was reportedly pushing to improve his lap time when the accident happened. The team promptly halted running and began a detailed analysis of telemetry data and onboard footage.

RB22’s Wet Weather Performance: Under Scrutiny

This crash isn’t an isolated incident regarding the RB22’s performance in wet conditions. Throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the car demonstrated a tendency to be more sensitive to changes in grip levels compared to its rivals. Engineers have been working to address this, focusing on aerodynamic adjustments and suspension setups.

* Aerodynamic Balance: Red Bull’s aero beliefs, while incredibly effective in dry conditions, appears to require fine-tuning for optimal performance in the wet.

* Suspension Calibration: The RB22’s suspension setup, designed for maximum mechanical grip, may be contributing to instability when encountering standing water.

* Tire Management: understanding the optimal operating window for Pirelli’s intermediate and wet tires is crucial, and the team is analyzing Hadjar’s tire pressures and temperatures leading up to the crash.

Impact on Pre-Season Preparations

The damage to the RB22 chassis has forced Red Bull to adjust its testing schedule. The team had limited spare parts available at the Barcelona test, meaning Hadjar’s running was severely restricted. This setback could impact his acclimatization to the car and the team’s ability to gather crucial data on setup variations.

Red Bull’s Head of Aerodynamics, Enrico Balbo, stated, “We are taking this incident very seriously. It’s vital we understand exactly what happened and implement changes to prevent a recurrence.Isack’s safety is our priority, and we’re providing him with all the support he needs.”

Hadjar’s Development & The Rookie Challenge

Isack Hadjar is entering his first full season in Formula 1 after a accomplished campaign in Formula 2.Adapting to the complexities of an F1 car, especially in unpredictable conditions, is a significant challenge for any rookie.

* Driver Feedback: Red Bull is relying heavily on Hadjar’s feedback to understand how the car felt leading up to the crash.

* simulator Work: Extensive simulator sessions will be used to replicate the conditions of the accident and test potential solutions.

* Experienced Mentorship: Hadjar is working closely with Red Bull’s experienced driver lineup, including Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, to learn from their expertise.

Lessons from Past Incidents: A Historical Outlook

Similar incidents involving rookie drivers in wet conditions have occurred in the past. In 2021, George Russell experienced a spin during the Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session in similar conditions, highlighting the challenges of adapting to changing grip levels. Analyzing these past events can provide valuable insights for Red Bull’s investigation.

The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix, famously wet, saw multiple drivers struggling with grip and control, demonstrating the inherent unpredictability of racing in the rain. These historical examples underscore the importance of robust testing and development in wet weather conditions.

Red Bull’s Response & Future Testing

Red Bull is implementing a series of measures to address the issues identified following Hadjar’s crash:

1. Revised Aerodynamic Configuration: Engineers are exploring modifications to the front wing and floor to improve stability in wet conditions.
2. Suspension Adjustments: Fine-tuning the suspension setup to provide greater mechanical grip and reduce the risk of snap oversteer.
3. Enhanced Wet Weather Testing: Increased emphasis on wet weather running during future test sessions.
4. Driver Training: Additional simulator sessions for Hadjar focused on wet weather driving techniques.

The team plans to conduct further testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, where they will have the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of these changes in a more representative environment. The Bahrain test will be crucial in ensuring the RB22 is fully prepared for the opening race of the 2026 Formula 1 season.